Thank you for your question and for including the photos!

Early fall can be a good time to plant an azalea, so I would get it into the ground soon. Before choosing the location, I would also check the plant tag to make sure the particular azalea cultivar is winter-hardy for your area.

It hard to tell from your photos what direction the sun is coming from. So for the planting site, look for a location with partial or filtered shade, ideally with morning sun and some protection from hot afternoon sun and winter winds. Azaleas prefer moist but well-drained, acidic soil and do poorly where water collects. I would avoid low spots, areas near downspouts, and sites where the soil stays soggy. They are also shallow-rooted, so a layer of organic mulch over the root zone can help conserve moisture and protect the roots. University Extension guidance also recommends avoiding planting directly beneath trees where there will be substantial competition for water and nutrients.

If you are unsure of the soil pH in the area you are considering, a soil test would be helpful. Azaleas are acid-loving plants, generally preferring a pH around 4.5–6.0. Here's a link to the University of Minnesota's soil testing laboratory: https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/. Fall is ideal time to add soil amendments to lower the pH.

After planting, water thoroughly and continue to pay close attention to soil moisture this fall. University of Minnesota Extension recommends continuing to water newly planted trees and shrubs until the ground freezes. Going into winter with adequate soil moisture is particularly important for reducing winter stress: https://extension.umn.edu/about/our-stories/news/yard-and-garden-news/yard-and-garden-checklist-november

One other consideration is winter animal damage. Both deer and rabbits can damage azaleas/rhododendrons. University of Minnesota Extension specifically lists deer browsing and rabbit feeding as possible causes of damage to azaleas and rhododendrons: https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/deciduous/azalea/barkbrancheschewed.html

Deer may browse buds and small branches, while rabbits can chew bark and clip smaller stems, with much of the rabbit bark-feeding damage occurring during winter and early spring. If rabbits or deer are common in your yard, I would consider protecting the new shrub with fencing for the winter. UMN Extension recommends hardware-cloth fencing for protecting shrubs from rabbits; taller fencing or other barriers may be needed for deer: https://extension.umn.edu/garden-and-home/yard-and-garden/lawns-and-landscapes-in-minnesota/protecting-trees-and-shrubs-in-winter

Overall, I would prioritize a protected, partially shaded location with good drainage and acidic soil, plant it soon, mulch the root area, and keep it well watered until the ground freezes.

Hope this helps!

-Victoria

University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener Volunteer